The Hampton History Museum is aiming to educate patrons on slavery during the 1600s.
Michael Guasco, an author, will lead a presentation entitled “1619 and the Problem of Slavery in Early America” from 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. on May 7 at the Hampton History Museum.
During his lecture, Guasco will highlight the importance of what occurred in Hampton into the larger context of what was going on in the Atlantic world at the time, according to a news release from the museum.
The year 1619 is recognized as when the first people of African descent were brought and enslaved in colonial North America.
“If we want to understand developments in Virginia during the 17th century, we need to treat the events of 1619 less as an origin story and more as a link in a long chain of events dating back to at least the middle of the previous century. Only by doing so can we fully appreciate the extraordinary significance of both slavery and African peoples to early English colonial endeavors,” Guasco said in the news release.
Admission to the presentation is free with a museum membership and $5 for non members. There is free parking in the garage across the street from the museum. For information call 757-727-1102.
